Like romance gone sour, Chrysler may soon part ways with its Dodge Viper nameplate in what analysts say a move geared for profitability. Chrysler Chief Executive Bob Nardelli already hinted of “exploratory talks” from interested third-party buyers.
Viper rolled out into production into 1992 and made headlines with its tough pose and impressive V-10 engine. It had its heyday. And for a while, car enthusiasts swarmed around it like ants do in bowl of sugar. But in these times of economic uncertainties, soaring gas prices, buyers shifted from gas churning sports utility vehicles to more fuel efficient cars. The shift showed in Dodge Vipers’ plunging sales, not to mention it takes 14 workers to make one Viper a day.
As the third largest US-based automaker in the world, Chrysler is not the only one caught in the financial maelstroms. General Motors said it was reassessing its Hummer brand when it chalked up $15.5 billion loss in the second quarter. Ford Motors followed suit. It sold its Jaguar and Land Rover brands to Tata Motors Ltd. And from all indications, automakers seem poised for more cost-cutting measures to conserve assets.
But Chrysler planned sell-out of its non-core asset, like Dodge Viper, should not scare its investors away. Top company officials are scheduled to visit Nissan Motor Corps to discuss on a possible deal for a small car design which Nissan would build for Chrysler. When this deal pushes through, Chrysler officials hope the small car models will bring the company back on track.
But a stroke of luck could still change Viper’s fate. For those who owned this hunk of squealing tires, keep your head high. Your Dodge Viper could still prove to be a good buy after a
Okay, so headed off at about half six (AM), went and picked up our back seat runners, then dived around the M25 and up the M1, took our little short cut cross country and pulled onto the site just after 0900hrs (was funny not to have a base camp) turns out they had had just a touch of rain on the Saturday...
although it was largely quite dry, lots of new tarmac...
some dubious cars for sale (imagine the "before and after" shots though!)
and some interesting custom modifications (...) > Full story
At least this experiment work ! Now we can go ! Leaving school, back to my lodgement here in Duesseldorf, where I finish my electro-mechanical engineer studies, and learning a bit of German. Jump in the car, than go south direction Nurburgring Nordschleife.
We plan with Anthony to pass the Friday afternoon there, driving with our car, and of course photo shooting!
Some traffic jam delayed me but I arrive just at the opening time of the track. Anthony is already there and discusses with... Yes, it’s him Laurent Chevalier the best journalist of the French magazine “Sport Auto”, he is here with Greg the photographer and a brand new Gt3!
